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Sunday, January 22, 2012

An Ox in the Mire Kind of Day

This weekend promised to be wonderful, and started off that way when John and I went to the temple Saturday morning. Attending the temple with John is one of my favorite dates. After feeling the peace of the temple, we weren't even bothered by the heavy traffic on the way home.

I told John how much I was looking forward to today. I had no church responsibilities. No choir practices were scheduled, nor did I have to play the organ. I don't mind playing, but I was looking forward to just attending stake conference, listening, and soaking everything in.

This morning, right before we were going to leave for church, I discovered our master bathroom was one big puddle of water.

In the book of Luke, chapter 14, verse 5, Jesus Christ explains why it was OK for him to heal on the sabbath: "And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?" Of course, they would not leave the animals, but would rescue them. How much more appropriate would it be for the Savior to heal a person on the sabbath?

Anyway, though John had every intention of coming to stake conference with us this morning, instead he stayed home and dealt with our own "ox in the mire." Fortunately, he was able to solve the problem.

Meanwhile, I was dealing with my own ox puppy, who chose this Sunday to be completely wound up. I think it would have been easier for me if Reno had been stuck in a mire. Not really, but I did not get to concentrate on what was being said. Instead, I spent much of the meeting walking the halls, trying to wear the puppy out. Poor Reno is teething, and kept trying to chew on the leash, his puppy-in-training vest, or my arm.

I did enjoy the one little idea I did pick up from conference, though. Elder Steven E. Snow spoke about the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 of whom were prepared with oil in their lamps, and 5 who were not. (Matthew 25:1-13) He made the statement that oil cannot be bought in bulk, but is obtained drop by drop through little acts, such as prayer. I think sometimes it is easy to overlook the importance of little things, but over time, those small things add up. I know that when I consider my childhood, many of the memories come from the daily routines we had. The ebb and flow of each day shaped my character over time.

Fortunately, most Sundays we don't have oxen to rescue. Though today didn't turn out exactly as anticipated, the bathroom is dry now, Reno is sleeping now, and we are enjoying a quiet evening. All is well.

Thankful thought:

Setting the table today, I was reminded of my friend, Gwen, who made personalized napkins for my family a few years ago. Thanks for friends, and for reminders of friends.

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Me in a Nutshell

My best friend, John, and I have been married for more than a quarter-century now. Each of our 5 children is now officially a young adult. Our oldest son brought a daughter-in-law into the family, which delighted us all. We are grandparents to two utterly adorable little girls, and two handsome little boys. We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I blog to share my thoughts and ideas, and to remind me to be thankful every day.